Crating is not mean to a dog. It is a very necessary tool. Important things to remember: Don't use the crate as punishment - keep the experience positive for the dog. Don't keep a dog in a crate for long periods of time. Leave a soft thing to lay on and toys in the crate.

Think about this: What would happen in case of an emergency and your dog had to be in a crate or other wise confined for reasons beyond your control? Hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake, fire? If the dog was used to being in a crate, it would think everything was fine. If not used to a crate, it would be one more very stressful thing for the dog to put up with in the middle of a disaster. And no matter how well we care for our dogs, things happen and they need to go to the vet and sometimes stay there for some time. If they are used to being confined, it is a lot easier on the dog.

I am a crate advocate, as you can tell. All dogs will whine and cry at first, if you let them out when they do that it is just reinforcing that behavior. They figure they cry, you'll let them out. Crating is not cruel at all when it is done right.